Connecting Kids to Nature
For more than 70 years, Thorne has helped children fall in love with the outdoors through joyful, hands-on learning and exploration.
Thorne Nature Experience is a nonprofit based in Lafayette, CO, and serving the Front Range.
We believe every child deserves the chance to immerse themselves in the wonder and awe of the natural world. Our programs inspire curiosity, build confidence, and help kids develop a lifelong connection to the environment.
Where every child can explore, connect, and belong.
FOR CAREGIVERS & THEIR CHILDREN— Nature TOGETHER!
At Nature Together, young children and their caregivers build community, connect with nature, and nurture well-being through sensory exploration, play, and shared experiences outdoors.
Rooted in nature-based learning and play, programs offer gentle rhythms, seasonal activities, and open-ended free play that foster connection to self, to each other, and to the natural world.
Our Programs are built to Provide…
Outdoor adventures. Lifelong connections.
NATURE TOGETHER
Outdoor nature‑play programs for caregivers & young children.
At Nature Together, young children and their caregivers build community, connect with nature, and nurture well-being through sensory exploration, play, and shared experiences outdoors.
NATURE KIDS
Thorne creates opportunities for all to connect with nature—through Nature Kids/Jóvenes de la Naturaleza programs, scholarships for nature-based programs, and the Lafayette Nature Center, a welcoming space for community gatherings, events, and exploration.
NATURE PRESCHOOL
A playful start to lifelong learning.
Thorne’s Nature Preschool blends early childhood education with daily outdoor adventures—where children build confidence, resilience, creativity, and a deep love for nature.
CAMP
A trusted choice (with 70 years of experience) for outdoor summer camps. Every summer we see firsthand that KIDS GROW BETTER IN NATURE.
Our Boulder, Lafayette, and Longmont day camps for kids ages 5-14 offer outdoor exploration, wilderness skills, and endless fun.
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Upcoming Events
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What families are saying…
“Best summer investment.
My child is the happiest human alive during nature camp. My favorite part as a parent are the scholarships. They truly do work to make the experience for all!”
– Kate G., Parent of a Thorne Camper